The practices related to patient radiation protection are
poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa because of the lack and/or
weak enforcement of the related legislative and regulatory frameworks.
This study investigates the justification and optimization of pediatric
CT scans in two university teaching hospitals in Yaoundé in Cameroon.
171 CT scans in pediatric patients below 15 years of age performed
during one trimester were surveyed. The data collection form was
adapted from a dosimetric assessment sheet from the French Institut
de radioprotection et de sureté nucléaire. The guidelines were those
of the Société française de radiologie and the Société francophone
d’imagerie pédiatrique et prénatale. Each CT scan was assessed and
the CT dose index and dose length product were compared with the
Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) of the above-mentioned guidelines.
While all the CT exams were justified, protocols were not readily
available and varied amongst teams and units. The tension conformed
in 87.7% of cases and 15.2% of DLPs were higher than the DRL for
thoracic and abdominal CT scans performed under helical mode and
brain CT scans performed sequentially. Readily available optimal
CT protocols for children are urgent to improve upon the pediatric CT
practices in these two units with a high turn-over rate of technologists
and radiology residents.

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